Signal-based medium analysis

Abstract

A solution for evaluating a medium using electrical signals is described. A plurality of electrical signals having different frequencies are transmitted through the medium and signal data corresponding to the electrical signals after having traveled through the medium is acquired. A complex impedance and a complex permittivity and / or complex conductivity can be calculated for the medium. A set of characteristics of the medium can be computed using mixing models and / or known information of the medium. A level of one or more attributes of the medium can be determined from the characteristics using nonparametric Bayesian inference. One particular application is directed to determining a nitrate level of soil.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The current application is a US National Phase application of International Application No. PCT / US2018 / 054316, filed on 4 Oct. 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 567,885, filed on 4 Oct. 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The disclosure relates generally to analysis of a medium using electrical signals, and more particularly, to a solution for measuring various characteristics of the medium from signal data for multiple frequencies transmitted through the medium.BACKGROUND ART[0003]There are numerous economic and environmental issues related to soil and water management. A broad societal economic issue is that as the population continues to increase, crop yield becomes more important. For instance, from 1962 to 2000, the amount of land used around the world for crop production increased by 13%, while the world population increased by 89%.[0004]These issues increase the need to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a field instrument that can measure nitrate levels in soil in real-time. This helps in developing an effective crop growth strategy and improving soil health. The instrument can help in creating field plans that are more adaptable to conditions and reduce harmful over fertilization. It can also provide real-time information to farmers and land managers, allowing them to make quick decisions. Overall, the instrument can optimize crop yields and production efficiency while maintaining soil health.

Problems solved by technology

There are numerous economic and environmental issues related to soil and water management.

A broad societal economic issue is that as the population continues to increase, crop yield becomes more important.

Profitability of farmed crops can be severely negatively impacted if poor nitrogen management practices are used.

One of the limitations is the inability to assess soil and plant data rapidly and inexpensively in the field.

A key component and barrier is the lack of a soil nitrate-nitrogen measurement system.

Soil nitrogen is often deficient, despite the fact that it is an essential nutrient for optimal crop production.

When soil nitrogen is too abundant and exceeds a crop's requirements, there is a greater likelihood of negative environmental impacts such as leaching, denitrification, and volatilization.

Nitrogen in the soil also can be lost through crop removal, soil erosion, and runoff.

If a field soil test kit with a commercial handheld meter or test strips is used, the sampling, processing, and testing still can take 24 hours.

As with the PSNT, the samples need to be processed for the nitrate measurement with the same labor intensive and time-consuming efforts.

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